The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports that despite advances in medicine and technology as well as increased awareness of organ donation and transplantation, the gap between supply and demand continues to widen. While 17,107 kidney transplants took place in the US in 2014, the Living Kidney Donors Network estimates there are over 80,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list. The waiting list has doubled in size over the past 10 years and continues to grow.
In the news, the family of a Florida man who died in 2015 while undergoing surgery to donate a kidney to his father has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the urologist who performed the procedure. Christine Donaldson, wife of deceased John Donaldson, alleges that Dr. Barry Blitz failed to take appropriate measures to prevent his death. The lawsuit against Dr. Blitz and 21st Century Oncology states that Mr. Donaldson suffered “significant bleeding” after the procedure and died due to Dr. Blitz’s negligence.
Urology experts specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and genitals. The medical negligence case involving a kidney transplant requires testimony from the urologist at the top of their field who also understands medical litigation. This expert witness is key to the litigation team.
